Chapter three
It was about two or three hours after all the other team shad left with their sensei, and Team Seven was still in waiting for their own. Iruka had left with an apologetic look, saying has some business to take care of, but Naruto knew he had a new report to present, with every graduate's skill level and specialization. 'I wonder what he's write about me?'
Sasuke was staring out the window, dreaming of days past, not paying attention to anything around him, not even a lone shinobi jumping around or a stray knife from the kids practicing down bellow. He almost got killed a few times but he didn't even notice. 'Probably in his little dream world. Hate to break balls though so I'll let him be.'
Haruno Sakura, the girl with pink hair was sharpening a kunai of her own design, a little longer than the standard type and more to black than the usual grey. She didn't pa any attention to the two boys the entire day. When the teams were announced many were shocked to see three top students in the same squad but their own reaction lacked enthusiasm. Naruto woke up, Sasuke re-entered the real world with a smile and Sakura flipped Iruka off with no reason at all.
Outside, ninja in jounin standard outfit, with his face half-covered by a mask and his left eye covered by his head-band stood expectantly, leaning on a tree. His chakra awareness was extended up to one hundred meters, covering the whole building of the Academy and the annexed dojo. Currently there were fifty five people in the building, most of them kids staying after class for training. He could detect some jounin from their chakra and two medium sized chakra flares coming from sub-chuunins. What was interesting was that he could detect an ANBU chakra level near those two. Under his mask he smiled. 'So you've gotten better, Naruto.'
Back inside the classroom, boringness reached new heights. Sakura was day-dreaming too while Sasuke took a nap. Naruto on the other hand became alert"Hey guys! Wake up, we've got company." Before his teammates could respond properly smoke filled the room, paralyzing type. Naruto's first reaction was to head to the windows so he could make an escape. But the one who was responsible for the sudden ruckus stood in his path, one kunai in each hand.
"Shadow Kakashi. What brings you here? Have you gotten nostalgic all of a sudden?" His teammates were on the ground, unable to move properly. Between coughs, Sakura observed the two that stood on their feet. Naruto was alert while the masked man called Kakashi relaxed his grip on the kunai. Sasuke tried to think of a plan. But NAruto relaxed too. "Who is this guy, Naruto-kun?"
"Hatake Kakshi. Your new jounin-sensei, I'll be leading team 7 at least until all three of you make jounin. I don't like long introductions so I'll just say I like things well done. Haruno Sakura, likes, dislikes, dreams"
"I like training. I dislike you. You should know my dream but I'll say it anyway. I want to kill a certain person." Kakshi just nodded, unimpressed and pointed to Sasuke. "You're up Uchiha"
"I like gardening and meditation. I dislike being who I am. My dream is to catch up and surpass…a person I know." Again the jounin didn't look to care so he turned to Naruto only to find him missing. And then his senses told him to duck, just in time to avoid a sword slash. "I like using this sword. I hate mist and moisture. I have a dream."
"Great, I've got a team of idiots. You weren't expecting my attack back there so I could have easily slit your throats and hide your bodies somewhere in the woods. Then I'll claim you were killed in an accident involving an assassination attempt."
"So why didn't you do it? Stop talking shit, Kakashi, if you could pull something like that you would have done it. Why the fuck were you late? I thought a high-ranked bastard like you knows about punctuality," Naruto sheathed his sword and then his teammates saw something they hadn't observed. It was a two-bladed katana.
"Language Naruto-kun, you're my subordinate now."
"Screw this. If you keep up with this bullshit I'm quitting right now. Fuck the whole ninja thing if I have to take shit from a gay porn-addict like you. You ain't my boss Scarecrow, you're a just a temporary squad leader so drop the attitude will you?" Kakashi yawned.
"I'll write a report. Hokage-sama monitors behavior of all shinobi so that the efficiency of four and six-man squads can be kept to a maximum. You may need some counseling on your authority problem, Naruto-kun." Naruto flipped him off. "So let's get down to business, shall we." The other two nodded.
"We are team 7, a four-man cell. I am your captain, when I give an order you execute it without any question or hesitation. My job is to get you back home safely but if I am to do that you will follow my lead, no matter what happens. Once we're out there we'll be in constant danger. None of you is allowed to die." Sasuke's mouth was wide and even Naruto seemed to listen carefully.
"You done yet? Come on, we don't have all day for stupid-ass speeches, we have to get a mission from Independent HQ!"
"Aa, Sakura-san, I was just explaining the basics because…"Kakashi's lazy response was interrupted as the girl proceeded to the door. Naruto followed closely, his hand clutched to his sword.
'Interesting. I didn't know Core taught them sword techniques. I can't wait for a battle, Naruto-kun, so I can see how much you've improved. I still think it was a mistake for you to be sent here but then again, I am not Hokage. Nor do I want to. The Third knows his job.' The jounin closely observed his new subordinate as they were passing the deserted halls of the Academy. Third floor.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Sasuke approached him" I have a question."
"What is it?" well at least one of them was polite" Is there something bothering you?"
"I've wanted to ask this for a long time now but only shinobi have access to this kind of information. My father and brother wouldn't tell me but now you can. What this the number?" he said in a low tone. His teammates turned their heads, curios. Kakashi studied him a second.
'So he likes to gather info huh? Neither Itachi nor Fugaku would disclose the existence of…'
"The number. Indeed, only active shinobi have the right to know about it. It's a new system that Konoha uses, in order to classify teams and individuals, and then better decide what assignments would suit them best. Basicaly, everyone in the Independent has one, a number, depending on how strong he is. It is the average of nine other numbers representing- Taijutsu, Genjutsu, Ninjutsu, Weaponry, Tactics, Chakra Level, Chakra Control ,Seals and Special. For all of these there is a number and the Special are given for successful missions or outstanding deeds. The higher a team is ranked the bigger the chances that it would get more and more important missions. Promotion to higher ranks is also done according to it. You still have to pass an exam but you only take it if you have the ranking for it."
"What's out team's ranking then?"
"Twenty-one. That qualifies us for low ranking missions like shopping or gardening. If you want to advance from Gening, to the next level, the Chuunins, you must have a team average of one hundred. And keep in mind that I don't count in it. Jounin must have at least 600 and the Special Tactics and Assassination Squad members, 1000. In order to be a candidate for the title of Hokage you must have an average of 3000." Sasuke's mouth was wide and Sakura took a while to let it sink." That's how it is."
"You sure like the sound of you own voice, don't you Scarecrow? Why did they call you that since it's obvious you suck at it." Naruto pointed out a nearby window where a crow was passing by .The bird seemed to make a strange sound 'Ahoo! Ahoo!- trans.- "Stupid! Stupid!'. Kakasho sweat-dropped." That was a harsh comment Naruto. Let's stop for a minute.'
"What for?! Sakura asked impatiently". Just because of a stupid joke ?"
"No, Haruno-san. I don't care for idiotic jokes:" Naruto seemed to ignore it" but when someone traps me in an illusion then things go ugly."
"What are you talking about?"
"We're on the third floor. We've been on it ever since we left the room. And even tough we already went down two sets of stairs, none of us seemed to be bothered by the fact that the floor is still nr.3."
"But why would there be an illusionary technique in a building full of kids? Or is the caster going for one of us?" Naruto looked at the watch on his wrist. Three o'clock. "Apparently our temporal sense works just fine. It's just a spatial disorienting illusion."
"Very good, Naruto. Indeed, time passes normally but we stay on this floor. Our attention is diverted by the chakra flow so we don't care about it. But if we were to be targeted we would be drawn to a better suited location for an ambush. No, whoever is doing this wants people to stay out the Academy. Only that we were already in it so we can't leave."
"So what do we do now?"
"Well, Sasuke, our priority is to gain info. We must know what we're confronting with before taking action." 'But we are an assault-type squad, reconnaissance is not our field. I could do it easily but I'd have to leave them alone. Naruto may have some experience but not enough. One option.' "Ninja Arts: Summoning Technique!"
In a room on the fourth floor
"Sayuri. Do you sense that?"
"Someone's in the building. And he's molding chakra. Lot's of it. I can't pinpoint him but the disturbance comes from the floor beneath. It's messing with my jutsu."
"I'll take care of him. You keep on preparing the seal. Remember, all the symbols must be in place. If you miss one, it will backfire, rather ugly. So keep focused, I'll hold the illusion. If anything happens…"
"Don't say that! You'll return for sure and then we'll finish our plan!"
"If I don't make it…do your duty. Stick to the protocol and leave as fast as possible."
"Shut up! You'll jinx yourself! Just be careful, nobody can know of our presence here. It was his wish and we'll fulfill it, the both of us! Then we'll go back home and forget about it all."
"Yeah…" the voice, belonging to a man, in his twenties most likely, tried to be reassuring. But the other one, a woman, sensed some sadness in it. She took his hand and looked him in the eye. Blue met blue.
Back with Team 7
The three genin were watching a small, brown dog with a jacket and a leaf band. It had emerged from a cloud of smoke just minutes ago. Kakashi had greeted him and called him Pakun. "So you're in a genjutsu? It pretty well done, which means the caster took time with it. He's been in the building for hours which means he had to hide from the teachers and instructors."
"We deduced as much. But we must find out more about him and for that we must split up. Pakun, you'll join me and Sasuke, well be a moving unit. He knows the building well. Naruto and Sakura, you'll stay here and act as a long-range support. While Haruno-san tries to dispel or at least minimize the illusion, Naruto will stand guard and keep permanent contact with me trough station. Sakura, you may need this." He took out a scroll from one of his pockets and gave it to her. "When you try to destabilize the flux channel your chakra so that it passes this seal."
"Understood." She sat in a cross-legged position and opened the scroll in the middle of the corridor. Naruto looked at Kakashi with a serious face. " Your plan has leaks. If there is more than one enemy then you will be intercepted while searching the place. The building is big so there are lots of places good for ambushing."
"What do you suggest?"
"I'll guide you and give you info on the location of the enemy. I have a jutsu for this, it uses sound-waves so it's ideal for an enclosed space like this. But it won't reach to the forth floor so do your best to keep them on this one."
"Let's go!" The trio ran off and took a turn, disappearing from view. Naruto had his eyes closed and hands on the wooden floor, scanning the area. Sakura began molding chakra and soon enough the wall became blurry. Her justu and the illusion were fighting.
Kakashi took another turn saw the corridor split. "Sasuke and Pakun to the left!" He took right and re-met them a few minutes later. "Right now were are in the southeast corner. The enemy probably became mobile himself so keep sharp."
"This is Naruto! One chakra source in the west wing, moving fast. He's going straight forward. Take the next turn left then keep current course. You'll fall in his rear." They did as told and accelerated their pace. Those who could took out a kunai.
"Oh shit! He's changing course. He knows you're there so he'll try to flank you. Maintain position, he'll come from the left. He's constantly molding chakra. I think he's the one casting the illusion." The three took a defensive position, readying themselves. "He's changing course again, Damn it! The bastard's fast. I'll try to stall him." A series of bangs told them that Naruto had begun.
"Get ready, he's coming. I think I hit him but it's serious. He has chakra leaking out of his system at a constant rate. Sakura says the genjutsu is fading so you'll have no problem seeing you."
"Distance?"
"Fifty and go down. Time until contact. Fiftheen seconds…..Ten seconds….Five seconds….NOW!" But the jounin, gening and nin-dog didn't see anyone. Nor did they hear any noise the corridor remained empty. Then all of a sudden Naruto shouted over the com-link "BRACE YOURSELVES!" a second before a gust of wind swept trough. It had been enough for Kakashi who caught Sasuke and Pakun and held his ground. The wind stopped and shuriken flew from a moving shadow on the other side. He ducked.
Sasuke leapt and countered with a few kunai but the shadow was fast, it navigated right trough the small barrage of metal, going for Kakashi. But the jounin was ready with two kunai. They clashed with a screech and jumped back. Sasuke made hand-seals "Fire Style: Grand Fireball" and directed the flames to the other side of the corridor.
"Better watch out, he's multiplied with a clone jutsu. There's two of them now but I can't tell who the real one is." Kakashi blocked some other blows but there were coming in faster and faster and the space for maneuver was limited. The fire had no effect and was easily put out by the mysterious enemy. With every passing second the danger grew. Now there was a clone to support him.
He had to end it fast, a prolonged battle would lead to the death of one of his comrades. Suddenly he heard another shout trough the com-link "GET BACK!" and so he jumped again as 'something' emerged from the walls. It was mobile and looked like a square pole. And most surprising, it went for the shadow instead of him. 'Naruto's jutsu! But what is that…' Realization hit him hard and for a second he couldn't move at all. It was wood. Naruto knew Mokuton!
More came out of the floor and ceiling and soon the enemy had to back off. He was surrounded and promptly assaulted while Sasuke and Pakun stared. Kakashi still didn't knew what to think of it. But the surprise that would follow would be even greater and more alarming. Their enemy turned to smoke. "You were fighting the clone! The real one's passed you. He's heading this way!" Now the race was on.
In the maze of the corridors, who looked even more confusing due to the illusion and the blurriness, two men and a dog ran after a shinobi dressed in full black attire. Kakashi took the lead and began distancing himself, but the other guy was also fast. Out of nowhere he turned and shot a jet of water at him while in motion. And then some shuriken. Kakashi threw his own, slowly catching up. Since they didn't have to turn every time, the trio took advantage of the seconds the shadow needed to attack.
Ahead of them, the jounin could see his other two students, one sitting and the other battle ready. Now they had him. He was surrounded and Kakashi couldn't wait for some answers. And not just from the enemy. Naruto took out his sword and ran forward, where he met the enemy's katana. Sasuke jumped in with a kunai and in exactly four seconds the man was on the ground. But the jounin still didn't relax he had to paralyze or make him pass out before…
"Poison pill. Hidden in one of his teeth, no doubt. This guy was only a diversion, he planned to die from the start. Which means we have another enemy, and he is on the forth floor."
"The genjutsu is gone. And I can't sense anyone in the building but us. If there was a second shinobi then he disappeared. And there is no chakra source less than a mile away." Naruto said in a low tone.
"We played into their game. Let's report this to the Third and call it a day. I doubt that whoever was up there left any trace. But before that. Naruto, where did you learn to do what you did?"
"Read my file. Closely. You'll find your answers there. For now I'll keep this a secret of my own. But I do not posses Senjuu blood. On the other hand, I am curios to know how our opponent looks like." He took of the dead man's mask and stared. Sakura voiced what all five, human and canine were thinking.
"If he were ten years younger he would look just like you, Naruto. Same hair, same eyes, same face. But I don't recognize that head-band."
"This is surely an interesting day" Kakashi spoke." Pakun, you might remember that sign from the days you fought alongside my father. He had nightmares over it for months."
"Huh? Sensei, what are you talking about?"
"That, Sasuke, is the symbol of the Hidden Dragonfly Village. And the last man to wear it in battle died thirty years ago."
On a tree branch a few miles outside Konoha
A cloaked figure clutched it's hands, looking at the high walls of the Leaf Village. "Goodbye, Saizo. I am sorry you couldn't find your peace. I love you and I will love you until I die. Rest in peace, Shadow of the Moutains."